Dubai - The families of the newborns were excited that their babies shared their special day with the country of their birth.
Published: Sun 2 Dec 2018, 10:00 PM
Updated: Mon 3 Dec 2018, 7:26 AM
Aptly named after the beloved leaders of the UAE, Zayed and Khalifa were among the first babies to wail their way into the world as the country marked its 47th National Day on Sunday. Baby Zayed, named after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was born at 12:00am at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi; while baby Khalifa, named after the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was born at the same time at Burjeel Royal Hospital Al Ain.
Zayed was born to Saeed Lazam Musallam Salam Almenhalli and Ohod Nasser Mohammed Al Hemyari. Almenhalli said: "It is a matter of great pride for us that our little boy shares his birthday with the National Day of our great nation. The UAE has created an environment of tolerance and peace for everyone living here - Emiratis and expats - and this is what makes this country unique and beautiful. Our happiness has increased with the birth of our little Zayed on this auspicious day."
The families of the newborns were excited that their babies shared their special day with the country of their birth.
Dr Sausan Abdul Rahman, consultant - obstetrics and gynaecology at the hospital, said: "It is always a happy time when we bring new life into the world. But the fact that these babies were born on the National Day makes the occasion even more special, both for the parents and the team at our hospital. We wish the parents and families of the newborns a happy and healthy future. And we look forward to celebrating the occasion with them every year."
Baby Khalifa was born to Mohammed Abdullah Al Hurr and Shamma Hamad Al Ketbi. "We believe that the UAE National Day 2018 will be a lucky day for us, and it has certainly started on the best note possible," said the beaming father, Al Hurr.
Dr Arun Menon, director of operations, VPS Al Ain region, said the facility was "very pleased" to bring happiness to the family on this momentous day. "Having a baby at any time is a joyous occasion, but to have the first delivery on the UAE National Day 2018 is something extra special, and we are proud that it happened here at Burjeel Royal Hospital Al Ain.
"We offer the Khalifa family our very best wishes for a long and prosperous life."
NMC hospitals in the country welcomed 19 babies on the day. The first among the newborns was a baby boy born to Emirati parents Helal Salem Al Kaabi and Aysha Mohammad Al Kaabi at NMC Speciality Hospital, Al Ain. The parents expressed their gratitude to the rulers of the nation for building "such a wonderful and safe nation for everyone to live in".
Five babies were born on the day at the hospital.
Elsewhere at Al Zahra Sharjah, Emirati parents Ekaterina Sedaochzhay and Mansour Alharithi delivered their first child, whom they named Mariam. The hospital delivered a total of four babies on the day.
NMC Hospital at Al Nahda delivered five babies, while the NMC Royal Women's Hospital at Abu Dhabi delivered three babies. NMC DIP and NMC Specialty Hospital Abu Dhabi delivered one baby each.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
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